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Show X-Ray Treatment of Goiter Beneficial In examining recruits for the last i war we were always on the alert so that cases of early thyroid dis- 'ease (goiter) were not accepted. When the heartbeat was fast the 'recruit rested for some time and was given a daily paper to read. If ,his heartbeat was slower after the rest and he was fit otherwise he was ; accepted. In some cases where, in addition to the rapid heartbeat, ! there was trembling of the hands ,and eyes were bulging he was considered con-sidered a thyroid case and rejected 'at once. The cause of the symptoms is that too much juice or extract is being manufactured by the thyroid gland and this juice increases the rate at which all the body processes work. The amount of increase is measured by a special apparatus and if it is plus 15 or more it is considered a case of early goiter, hyperthyroid as ,it is called. If test shows minus 15 it shows that the thyroid gland is :not manufacturing enough juice. When too much juice is being manufactured, man-ufactured, all or part of the thyroid gland is removed by operation or by the use of X-ray treatments. If not enough juice is being manufactured manufac-tured the physician prescribes daily doses of the juice or thyroid extract. Before treatment for removal of the thyroid gland is given, Dr. George E. Pfahler, professor of radiology, ra-diology, graduate school of medicine, medi-cine, University of Pennsylvania, in medical clinics of North America, states that the cause or causes of the hyperthyroid condition should be removed insofar as this is possible. Usual causes are focal infection (teeth, tonsils or other organ), domestic do-mestic difficulties, worry, overwork or some other strain. As many patients fear operation and delay should be avoided. Dr. Pfahler points out that X-ray treatment treat-ment gives about as good end results re-sults as surgery and these patients will more willingly undergo the X-ray method of treatment. Where, however, the need for the removal of the thyroid gland is urgent surgery is the proper treatment |